stand by

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to be available and ready to act if needed or called upon

2. (intr, adverb) to be present as an onlooker or without taking any action

   he stood by at the accident

3. (intr, preposition) to be faithful to

   to stand by one's principles

4. (tr, adverb) English law (of the Crown) to challenge (a juror) without needing to show cause

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that is ready for use or can be relied on in an emergency

   2. ( as modifier )

      stand-by provisions

2. in a state of readiness for action or use

adjective

1. (of an airline passenger, fare, or seat) not booked in advance but awaiting or subject to availability

Idioms and Phrases

Be ready or available to act, as in I'm almost ready for you to carve the turkey, so please stand by . [Mid-1200s]

Wait for something to resume, as in We are all standing by until the power is restored . Also see on standby .

Be present but remain uninvolved, refrain from acting, as in I can't stand by and see these kids shoplifting . [Late 1300s]

Remain loyal, as in She's my friend and I'll stand by her, no matter what . [Early 1500s] Also see stick by .

Adhere to, abide by, as in I'm going to stand by what I said yesterday . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

The fact that she stood by her delusional expectations after the fact is shocking.

Read more on MarketWatch

She also stood by her decision to front almost all of the daily briefings and her government's "precautionary" approach.

Read more on BBC

US ambassador to Japan George Glass vowed that Washington would stand by Tokyo during the dispute.

Read more on Barron's

“What, you thought I was just going to stand by and pray for your safe return?”

Read more on Literature

Beowulf writhed on the bed while his brother and sister stood by.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• back 
• benefit 
• bolster 
• boost 
• cooperate 
• encourage 
• further 
• maintain 
• promote 
• push 
• save 
• serve 
• stimulate 
• support